



jgy/iyoe 

S3* IMP ■ 



H sy^C^JT 



^ 







LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

PStt^ — ; 

§\n[L?. Sopttrisfyt fa. 

SbelfAy.3.l3 

i&sa 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE 









LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE 



AND OTHER VERSES 



BY 



S 



GEORGIANA M. TAYLOR 

AUTHOR OF " OH ! TO BE NOTHING ! " 



j 



NEW YORK 

JAMES POTT & CO., PUBLISHERS 

1892 



"^ 



^ 






Copyrighted, 1892, By 
JAMES POTT & CO. 



/Z-dfSfit 



TROW DIRECTORY 

PRINTING AND BOOKBINDING COMPANY 

NEW YORK 



©ur Ibappg f>ome. 

Oh, happy home, where Jesus dwells ! 
Where His dear love all care dispels, 
Where His sweet presence rules each heart, 
Bids pride, pretence, and sloth depart ; 
Where storms of passion and self-will 
Are quelled before His " Peace, be still ! " 
Where work is done for His dear sake, 
And patience doth contentment make ! 
Oh, help me, Lord, quite close to stay 
Beside Thee all the busy day, 
So not by word or deed of mine 
To mar this happy home of Thine ! 



PREFACE 



Some of the verses collected in this volume 
may perhaps be already familiar to the reader. 

They are now, with additions, gathered to- 
gether and sent forth in the hope that He who 
has in the past deigned to comfort and help 
some of His "little ones" through their in- 
strumentality, may further use them for His 
glory, as He often does "the weak things of 
the world." 

Januainj) 1892. 



CONTENTS 



PAGE 

"Oh! to be Nothing!" 11 

"Tell Jesus," 14 

"Speak, Lord, for thy Servant Heareth," . 16 

Rest, 18 

A Heart Melody, 20 

11 For Jesus' Sake," 22 

My Heart's Desire for Thee, ..... 24 

He Gave Himself, 25 

11 Well-pleasing unto God," 26 

The Messenger, 28 

God's Chosen Things, 30 

"Closer to Thee," 32 

Ruth; or, The Satisfied Soul, .... 33 

The Opening Year, 34 

The Path of Faith, 36 

What Seek Ye ? 38 

Our Working-Day Song, 40 

Our Sunday Hymn, 41 



10 CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



The Garden op the Lord, 42 

"Follow Me!" 44 

A Daily Desire, 46 

Ready! 48 

A Nail in a Sure Place, 50 

A Worker's Dream of the Border Land, . . 52 

Onward! 54 

Wilderness Rest, 55 

He Faileth Not, 5G 

The Heart's Hunger. Question I., . . .58 

The Heart's Hunger. Question II., . . . CO 




LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



" ©b! to be IKotbfng!" 

Oh ! to be nothing — nothing ! 

Only to lie at His feet, 
A broken and emptied vessel, 

For the Master's use made meet ! 
Emptied that He may fill me, 

As forth to His service I go ; 
Broken, that so, unhindered, 

Through me His life may flow. 



Oh ! to be nothing — nothing ! 

An arrow hid in His hand, 
Or a messenger at His gateway, 

Waiting for His command ; 



12 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Only an instrument, ready 

For Him to use at His will ; 
And willing, should He not require me, 

In patience to wait on Him still. 

Oil ! to be nothing — nothing ! 

Though painful the humbling be, 
Though it lay me low in the sight of those 

Who are now, perhaps, praising me : 
I would rather be nothing, nothing, 

That to Him might their voices be raised, 
Who alone is the Fountain of blessing, 

Who only is meet to be praised. 

Yet e'en as my pleading rises, 

A voice seems with mine to blend, 
And whispers, in loving accents, 

"I call thee not ' servant,' but ' friend ; ' 
Fellow-worker with Me I call thee, 

Sharing My sorrow and joy — 
Fellow-heir to the glory I have above, 

The treasure without alloy." 

Oh ! love so free, so boundless ! 

Which, lifting me, lays me lower 
At the footstool of Jesus, my risen Lord, 

To worship and to adore — 
Which fills me with deeper longing 

To have nothing dividing my heart, 
My " all " given up to Jesus, 

Not " keeping back a part." 



"OH! TO BE NOTHING!" 13 



Thine may I be, Thine only, 

Till called by Thee to share 
The glorious heavenly mansions 

Thou art gone before to prepare ; 
My heart and soul are yearning 

To see Thee face to face, 
With unfettered tongue to praise Thee 

For such heights and depths of grace. 



14 LAYS OF LOWLY SEE VICE. 



" (Tell Seeue." 

When thou wakest in the morning, 

Ere thou tread the untried way 
Of the lot that lies before thee 

Through the coming busy day ; 
Whether sunbeams promise brightness, 

Whether dim forebodings fall, 
Be thy dawning glad or gloomy, 

Go to Jesus — tell Him all ! 

In the calm of sweet communion 

Let thy daily work be done ; 
In the peace of soul outpouring 

Care be banished, patience won ; 
And if earth with its enchantments 

Seek thy spirit to enthral, 
Ere thou listen — ere thou answer — 

Turn to Jesus — tell Him all ! 

Then as hour by hour glides by thee, 

Thou wilt blessed guidance know, 
Thine own burdens being lightened, 

Thou canst bear another's woe ; 
Thou canst help the weak ones onward, 

Thou canst raise up those that fall : 
But remember, while thou servest, 

Still tell Jesus— tell Him all ! 



" TELL JESUS." 15 



And if weariness creep o'er thee 

As the day wears to its close, 
Or if sudden fierce temptation 

Bring thee face to face with foes : 
In thy weakness, in thy peril, 

Raise to heaven a trustful call ; 
Strength and calm for every crisis 

Come— in telling Jesus all. 



16 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



" Speafc, Xorfc, for Zhv Servant Ibearetb." 

" Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth ! " 

In wisdom, in power, in love, 
Oh speak, till this heart that feareth 

Is lifted all fear above ! 
Before I go forth to serve Thee, 

Whatever my work may be, 
Let words from Thy presence nerve me 

To do and to bear for Thee. 



•' Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth ! " 

Thy will may the Spirit show, 
Till step upon step appeareth 

The way Thou wonldst have me go ! 
And while in the path before me 

Thy precepts shall safely guide, 
Like the " bow for a token " o'er me 

Thy promises shall abide. 

" Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth ! " 

Eemind, as the hours roll on, 
That the shore of eternity neareth, 

When time will be over and gone. 
Let me each opportunity cherish, 

And tell me the words that will reach 
Poor souls that are ready to perish, 

Sad hearts that seem closed to all speech. 



"SPEAK, LORD, THY SERVANT HEARETH." 17 



" Speak, Lord, for Thy servant heareth ! " 

Through sorrow, and toil, and pain, 
No voice like Thine own voice cheereth, 

No tones have such sweet refrain ; 
But tender and calm and healing, 

Like dew to the drooping flower, 
Thy Word, o'er my spirit stealing, 

Shall fill me with holy power. 



18 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



IReet. 



It is in vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the 
bread op sorrows, for he giveth to hls beloved, sleeping."— 
(Psalm cxxvii. 2. Literal Translation of German Version.) 



O weary child of God, so tempest-tossed, 

Unconiforted and weeping, 
Whose heart is yearning after treasure lost, 
Yield up thy will- 
Be still ! 
" He gives to His beloved, sleeping." 

Why murmurest thou o'er labours still unblest, 

Sowing, but never reaping ? 
Thy Lord hath said, "Who takes My yoke shall rest ! " 
And dost thou yet 
Forget?— 
" He gives to His beloved, sleeping." 

How many anxious cares thy soul oppress, 

Wakeful thine eyelids keeping ! 
Early and late thou dost thyself distress : 
'Tis all in vain : 
Eefrain ! 
" He gives to His beloved, sleeping." 



REST. 19 



Does battle rage, and are the powers of hell 

Thy garrison o'erleaping ? 
Seek not by strength to keep the citadel ; 
Victory, His own, 
Alone : 
11 He gives to His beloved, sleeping." 

Who would not thus be guarded and caressed 

In Jesus' tender keeping ? 
Sweet and unbroken is that loved one's rest, 
" Until she please." 
Such ease 
"He gives to His beloved, sleeping." 



20 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



% Ibeart dfceloDg. 

"In quietness and in confidence shai*l be toub strength."— {Isaiah 
xxx. 15.) 

" In quietness, in confidence," 

A whispered soft refrain 
Of just these two— these simple words 

In oft-repeated strain, 
Breathes o'er my heart's foreboding fears, 

A rest from care and pain. 

" In quietness, in confidence ; " 

What is the power that lies 
Hidden beneath this melody, 

Bidding my courage rise, 
Chasing the gloom from darkest scenes, 

The tears from weeping eyes? 

" In quietness, in confidence ; " 

It was the Master's word 
That woke the echo in my heart ; 

The still small voice I heard : 
'Twas the same voice that fills all heaven 

My inmost soul that stirred. 

" In quietness, in confidence;" 

No marvel it should thrill 
My soul with rapture ; that its sound 

My restless heart should still : 
No storm so fierce, no waves so high, 

But He can calm at will. 



A HEART MELODY. 21 



" In quietness, in confidence ; " 
My little whispered psalm 

Still falls in sweet and holy power, 
Like fragrant, soothing balm, 

Hushing the heaving billows in 
The Lord's own wondrous calm. 



22 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



"$ov 3es\\8 f Sake." 

(2 Cor. iv. 5 ; xii. 10 ; 1 Peter ii. 13 ; Luke vi. 22.) 
A MOTTO TEXT. 

" Fok Jesus' sake " all sin forgiven ! 

" For Jesus' sake " sweet rest ! 
'Tis this glad word has wooed and won 
My heart to love Him best. 

His praise I sing, rny Lord ! my King ! 

Who died my peace to make ; 
And all the day, and all the way, 
An echo in my heart shall say, 
" For Jesus' sake ! " 



"For Jesus' sake ! " These precious words 

Shall be like pinions swift, 
To waft my prayers through heaven's gate, 
And bear back many a gift. 

Each answer free God sends to me, 

Then joyfully I'll take, 
And all the day, and all the way, 
An echo in my heart shall say, 
" For Jesus' sake ! " 



FOB JESUS' SAKE." 23 



When often, like a wayward child, 

I murmur at His will, 
Then this sweet word, " For Jesus' sake,' 
My restless heart can still. 

I bow my head ; and, gently led, 

His easy yoke I take ; 
And all the day, and all the way, 
An echo in my heart shall say, 
" For Jesus' sake ! " 



In suffering sore, or toilsome task, 

His burden light I'll bear ; 
" For Jesus' sake " shall sweeten all, 
Till His bright home I share ; 
And then this song, more sweet, more strong, 

In heaven my harp shall wake ; 
Led all the way, till that glad day, 
Eternally my heart shall say, 
" For Jesus' sake ! " 



24 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



/!ft2 Ibeart's 2>estre for £bce. 

(Colossians i. 9-11.) 

Oh, the dower of heavenly treasure 

I would wish for thee to-day ! 
Oh, the endless, countless blessings 

I would strew upon thy way ! 
Not the world with all its glories, 

Nor the wealth that it can bring ; 
But the truer, lasting riches 

From the hand of heaven's King. 

There are depths of bliss unfathomed, 

There are heights of joy unknown, 
There are pleasures unexhausted, 

That may yet be all thine own. 
I will lift my heart with longing 

To the Golden Throne above ; 
I will seek for thee from Jesus 

All the fulness of His love. 

So thy life shall pass in gladness ; 

And thy daily path shall be 
One of brighter, clearer shining, 

As the Lord reveals to thee 
All the secret of His presence, 

With its wondrous light and love ; 
Precious foretaste of the rapture 

In the blessed life above. 



HE GAVE HIMSELF! 25 



1be (Save Ibimself! 

The Son op God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me."— (Ga- 
latians ii. 20.) 

He " gave Himself for me ; " oh, blessed word ! 
Oh, gift that has my deepest longings stirred 
To yield myself to Him ; henceforth to be 
Entirely His who gave Himself for me ! 

His Life for me ! — spent in this world of sin, 
That He to God poor outcast souls might win ; 
His Life for me !— laid down in matchless love, 
Now occupied for me in heaven above. 

His Mind for me ! His wisdom formed the plan 
Whereby release was brought to guilty man. 
His Will for me ! — not slow to carry out 
That plan whereby He frees from sin and doubt. 

His Heart for me ! Its life-blood freely shed 
To save the sinner — suffering in his stead ; 
And still His Heart for me, to feel my grief, 
To bear my burdens, and to give relief. 

His Voice for me ! He speaks that I may know 
The One who pities — yea, who loves me so. 
His Hands for me ! — once pierced by cruel nail, 
Now raised in prayer, lest my weak faith should fail. 

His Feet for me ! — that this world weary trod, 
Now coming soon to take me home to God. 
His Eye, His Ear, His Eiches, all for me — 
And all my own for all eternity ! 



26 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



" melWfcleasinQ unto <5o&." 

Enoch, before ms TRANSLATION . . . HAD this witness borne to 

HIM, THAT HE HAD BEEN WELL-PLEASING UNTO GOD."— (Hebrews xi. 
5, 6. R. V.) 

Who will to-day themselves enrol, 
Seeking no lower aim or goal 
Than this — to be in heart and soul 

" Well-pleasing unto God? " 

Some to please self alone would live ; 
More happy they who pleasure give ; 
Most happy they who strive to live 

" Well-pleasing unto God." 

" How can I please Him ? " dost thou say ? 
" How through the crowded, busy day 
Can I pursue the heavenward way, 

' Well-pleasing ' be ' to God ? ' " 

Thou canst ; because He sees the heart, 
And if He views it kept apart 
From sin around it, then thou art 

" Well-pleasing unto God." 

And if He sees each task is done 
For Jesus, and for Him alone, 
However mean, in heaven 'tis known 
4 'Well -pleasing unto God." 



WELL-PLEASING UNTO GOD." 27 



But recollect, we each one must 
In Jesus' blood for cleansing trust, 
Ere we can be — for He is just,— 

"Well-pleasing unto God." 

Through good report and ill then we, 
With conscience clear and spirit free, 
Will seek in everything to be 

"Well-pleasing unto God." 

And when this earthly race is run, 
The labour o'er, the victory won, 
Then we shall hear the Lord's "Well done ! 
11 Well-pleasing unto God." 



28 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



' Blessed is the man that heareth Me, watching daily at My 

GATES, WAITING AT THE POSTS OF My DOORS." — {Proverbs viii. 34.) 

I stand at His gate to-day, 

I linger beside His door ; 
'Twill not be in vain if I do but wait, 

I have proved Him often before. 
I am watching with eager eye, 

Listening with open ear ; 
For the Master's voice I must catch to-day, 

Each word must be plain and clear. 

For a message I have to bear ; 

He told me I was to come — 
That He had work for me to do, 

To carry a message home. 
I know not what it will be ; 

Whether a simple word, 
Or whether 'twill cost me toil and pain 

To utter all I have heard. 

But often 'tis happy work, 

For His message is full of cheer ; 
His words of comfort, of hope, of love, 

Wipe away many a tear. 
Sometimes 'tis a pardon free 

To a rebel condemned to die ; 
When my Lord says, "Loose him, and let him go, 

Oh, who has such joy as I ! 



THE MESSENGER 



Sometimes 'tis " Return ! " " Return !" 

To a child who has grieved Him sore ; 
And how sweet to hear the faltering tones, 

" Can I ever grieve Him more ? " 
Or perhaps 'tis a warning voice ; 

Counsel both wise and true, 
To one who stands in a slippery place, 

Knowing not what to do. 

And though some will not heed 

The message I have to tell, 
My Lord will know— for He told me so— 

If I do my service well. 
So I listen beside His gate, 

And I hush my heart to hear ; 
For the Master's voice I must catch to-day, 

And each word must be plain and clear. 



30 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



(SoD's Cboeen {Tbfnss. 

1 God hath chosen the foolish things oe the world . . . and the 
weak things . . . and base things . . . and things which are 

DESPISED, HATH GOD CHOSEN." — (1 Cor. i. 27, 28.) 

" O God, I am so weak, 

So prone to faint and fall, 
How shall I dare to speak ? 
Canst Thou give me this call ? 
" My child, it is the ' weak things ' I mnst use ; 
For then no flesh shall glory : thee I choose." 

But, Lord, so foolish too, 

I know not what to say ; 
And even if I knew, 

On my lips words die away. 
" My child, 'tis ' foolish things ' that I must use ; 
For then no flesh shall glory: thee I choose." 

But then so base am I — 

One moment serving Thee, 
The next I may deny 
The Lord who purchased me. 
" I keep thee, child — e'en ' base things' I must use ; 
For then no flesh can glory : thee I choose." 



GOD'S CHOSEN THINGS. 31 



But all around despise, 

And scorn a word from me ; 
They know I am not wise, 
My nothingness they see. 
"My child, wilt thou not learn that I must use 
Such things as are 'despised : ' thus thee I choose." 

Teach me this lesson, Lord, 

Teach me again, again ! 
Till on my heart Thy word, 
Graven with iron pen, 
Remain ; and thus contented, I may choose 
To be weak, foolish, base, despised, that Thou may'st use. 



32 LAYS OF LOWLY SEE VICE. 



"Closer to XLbee." 

Let me see Thy countenance, let me hear Thy voice ; for sweet is 
Thy voice, and Thy countenance is comely." — {S. Song ii. 14.) 

Closek, dear Lord, to Thee, 

Closer to Thee, 
In sweet communion drawn, 

Oh, let me be ! 
Earth's joys forgotten quite, 
Whilst dwelling in the light, 
Closer, dear Lord, to Thee, 
Closer to Thee. 

Oh, let no cloud of sin, 

'Twixt me and Thee, 
Aught of Thy brightness hide ! 

But let me be 
Now on the mount's blest height, 
Gazing on glory bright, 
Till faith be lost in sight, 

Closer to Thee. 

So shall my walk below 

Glorify Thee, 
Till that glad moment come 

When I shall see, 
Not, through a darkening glass, 
Glimpses of glory pass, 
But view Thee face to face, 

Closer to Thee. 



RUTH; OR, THE SATISFIED SOUL. 33 



IRutb ; or, Gbe SatfsfieD Soul. 

" The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee 
op the Lord God op Israel, under whose wings thou art come 
to trust."— (Ruth ii. 12.) 

I was a gleaner once Ruth ii. 2. 

In fields belonging to a stranger-Lord ; ii. 3. 

Many gleaned there in happiness and peace, 

Fed by His hand and hanging on His word : ii. 4. 

They were His purchased ones, 

But I was all unknown. A journey long i. 1, 19. 

Had brought me to that field, weary and lone, ii. n. 

Gathering a few chance ears amid the throng. 

The Master met me there ; ii. 8, 13. 

He spoke, He cheered ; " handful s of purpose " fell ii. 16. 
Close to my path, that I might have enough : 

(Oh, blessed those who near such fulness dwell !) 
And soon I found true rest, iii. l. 

The joy, the bliss of lying at His feet ; iii. 14. 

'Twas with a trembling, fearful heart I came, iii.10,11. 

But once laid there I thought my joy complete. 

Yet now I know new depths 

Of blessedness and rest all unalloyed, 
The peace of full redemption bought by Him, iv.io, etc. 

To be through all eternity enjoyed : 
In conscious union now 

With Christ my risen Lord, whose love and power 
Are all on me bestowed in richest grace, 

I live in sweet communion hour by hour. 



34 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Gbe ©penfnfl 2£ear. 

I REMEMBER THE DATS OP OLD ... I MUSE ON THE WORK OP THY 

hands."— {Psalm cxliii. 5.) 

An opening Year before us 

Lies in its shadowy dawn, 
Let us pause awhile on the threshold, 

Ere a veil o'er the past is drawn : 
Remembering the Master's leading, 

As we glance at the backward way, 
Let us strengthen our hearts to serve Him, 

In the Year we begin to-day. 

To many the bygone Year 

A " beginning of days " has been ; 
New life, new joys, new hopes are theirs 

In a new-found Saviour seen. 
To all it has brought new mercies ; 

From all let new praise arise ; 
For even its bitterest sorrows 

Have been blessings in disguise. 

Some have been brought by sorrow 

From wanderings far and wide, 
To the Father's house and the Father's heart ; 

And though some are still " outside," 
Yet for those let us still pray on, 

And the Year which we now begin 
May find perhaps at its close 

Those stray ones gathered in, 



THE OPENING YEAR. 35 



Others the race have run, 

Have borne the heat of the day, 
Have finished their course, have kept the faith, 

And the Master has called away. 
We may miss the well-known form, 

We may mark the vacant place, 
But our hearts remember the " Coming One," 

And the meeting "face to face." 

This may be the last New Year 

That ever our eyes shall see ; 
For in it the Eternal Day 

May dawn for both you and me. 
Perhaps for me alone, 

But perhaps together — all 
Shall be gathered around the Throne 

Ere this New Year's night shall fall. 

Then lift up the weary heart, 

For the hours are fleeting fast, 
There is an end to the longest day, 

A rest that will come at last. 
On— till the fight is o'er— 

In courage, and hope, and love ! 
We shall meet at the pearly gates 

Of our fair bright Home above. 



LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Gbe fl>atb of JFaftb. 

Lord, if it be Thott, bid me to come unto Thee on the water." 
{Matthew xiv. 28.) 

If it be Thou, my Lord, 

Above the roar of the tempestuous sea, 
Let but Thy voice be heard, 

And I will venture forward "unto Thee." 

" Forth unto Thee," 1 my Lord, 

Heeding not those who fain would hold me back ; 
If I have but Thy word, 

I can " go forward" 2 o'er the ocean's track. 

Not that I have the strength 

To plant one footstep on that raging wave ; 
Much more to cross the length 

That severs me from Thee : but Thou canst save. 

Yes, Thou canst keep my feet 

From sinking in the drifting, surging tide ; 
And though the winds may beat, 

Thy power shall bring me safely to Thy side. 

Even if I should fail, 

Through looking at my weakness, or around, 
One faltering cry to Thee, 

And in Thine arms I know I shall be found. 

1 Hebrews xiii. 13. 2 Exodus xiv. 15. 



THE PATH OF FAITH. 37 



" Bid me to come " then, Lord, 

For love's constraining power shall conquer fear, 
And hope shall buoy me up, 

And faith's safe pathway soon shall bring me near. 

Near to Thyself, my Lord, 

Into Thy presence realized and sweet, 
To gaze in rapturous joy, 

To listen, learn, and worship at Thy feet. 



38 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



imbat Seek ®el 

Seek te first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness ; and 

ALL THESE THINGS SHALL BE ADDED UNTO YOU."— [Matthew vi. 33.) 

Seek ye first, not earthly pleasure, 
Fading joy, and failing treasure, 
But the love that knows no measure 
Seek ye first. 

Seek ye first, not earth's aspirings, 
Ceaseless longings, vain desirings, 
But your precious soul's requirings 
Seek ye first. 

Seek ye first God's peace and blessing ; 
Ye have all if this possessing. 
Come, your need and sin confessing, 
Seek Him first. 

Seek Him first ; then, when forgiven, 
Pardoned, made an heir of heaven, 
Let your life to Him be given ; 
Seek this first. 

Seek this first — Be pure and holy ; 
Like the Master, meek and lowly ; 
Yielded to His service wholly. 

Seek this first. 



WHAT SEEK YE? 39 



Seek the coming of His kingdom, 
Seek the souls around, to win them, 
Seek to Jesus Christ to bring them ; 
Seek this first. 

Seek this first. His promise tiying, 
It is sure— all need supplying— 
Heavenly things (on Him relying) 
Seek ye first. 



40 LAYS OF LOWLY SEE VICE. 



Qxn moxki\\Q*$>av Song, 

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." — (Eccl. 
ix. 10.) "Ye serve the Lord Christ."— (Col. iii. 24.) 

We are toiling on, as hour by hour goes by ; 

But our hearts are light, for Christ the Lord is nigh. 

He is watching us with tender loving eye, 
And our work is done for Him. 
Our hands must toil ; but our hearts are free, 
While our work is done, blessed Lord, for Thee ! 

We remember how He trod the worker's way, 
And in all things did His Father's will obey ; 
So we murmur not, but follow day by day, 
And our work is done for Him. 
Our hands must toil ; but our hearts are free, 
While our work is done, blessed Lord, for Thee ! 

We will look to Him as One who knows our work, 
We will trust His love, nor let suspicion lurk ; 
He will give us grace no irksome task to shirk, 
And our work is done for Him. 
Our hands must toil ; but our hearts are free, 
While our work is done, blessed Lord, for Thee ! 



OUR SUNDAY HYMN. 41 



<S>ur Simfcag Ibsmn. 

In the Spirit on the Lord's day."— {Rev. i. 10.) 

Oh, joyous feast-day of the soul, 

Again we hail thy dawn, 
Sweet foretaste of the heavenly goal, 

The resurrection morn ! 

Now leaving every anxious care, 
From week-day labour freed, 

We seek our spirits to prepare 
That we may feast indeed ; 

That we may sit at Christ's dear feet, 

Eemembering His grace ; 
His love our wine, His word our meat, 

As we His beauty trace. 

And as He breaks to us the bread, 

'Twill multiply for those 
For whom a table too is spread 

Of food His love bestows. 

For those who, weary, faint, and poor, 

Are seeking Him to-day, 
May we with joy His welcome sure 

To their sad hearts convey. 



42 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Gbe <3arfcen of tbe Xoro. 

Awake, O north wind ; and come, thotj south : blow upon my 

GARDEN, THAT THE SPICES THEREOF MAY FLOW OUT. LET MY BE- 
LOVED COME INTO HIS GARDEN, AND EAT HIS PLEASANT FRUITS.— 

(Song of Solomon iv. 16.) 



With its pitiless blast ; 
After the winter of rain 

Is over and past ; 
Then, when the south wind blows 

With its balmy air, 
Open the fragrant flowers 

In their beauty rare. 

Would they have blossomed so sweet, 

Or have borne such fruit, 
Had not the wintry wind 

Swept over each shoot, 
Searching and scathing the boughs 

With its blust'rous breath, 
Deepening the hold of the root 

In the ground beneath ? 

Many a blessing God sends 

Like the windy storm ; 
Sickness, sorrow, and suffering, 

His work perform ; 
Shall there not rise from the garden 

That He has dressed, 
Blossoms of faith and of patience, 

Brightest and best ? 



THE GARDEN OF THE LORD. 43 

Many a blessing God sends 

Like a breeze from heaven, 
Bringing us balm for the wound 

Which in love was given ; 
Shall not His tenderness also 

Sweet fruit produce, 
And the garden that He has dressed 

Be meet for His use ? 

Jesus will seek from our lips 

And our lives, this year, 
Blossoms and fruit in their season 

His heart to cheer ; 
Sunny south wind or tempest 

Pruning the shoot, 
Come as ye will, if the Master 

Find but His pleasant fruit. 



44 LAYS OF LOWLY SEE VICE. 



"ffollow asci" 

IP ANT MAN WILL COME AFTER Me, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF, AND TAKE 
UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME."— (Luke ix. 23.) 

Oh, the mazes of the future, 

Lying hidden from our gaze ! 
Are our hearts afraid to enter 

On their unknown winding ways ? 
Let us then, like Christ's disciples 

By the shores of Galilee, 
All forsake, and, fully trusting, 

Just obey His " Follow Me ! " 

Oh, the rest of treading only 

In the traces of His feet ! 
Oh, the blessedness of guidance 

All perplexities to meet ! 
Through the maze of life's strange windings, 

This our silken clue shall be : 
They shall never err who listen 

To the Saviour's " Follow Me." 

'Tis a word of sweet example 

For our busy working days ; 
For it tells of One who laboured, 

Thirsting not for human praise ; 
Ever diligent in duty, 

Yet from all self-seeking free : 
Perfect Servant ! Perfect Master ! 

Give us grace to "Follow Thee." 



''FOLLOW ME!" 45 



Let us keep in blest remembrance, 

'Mid the wants and woes of life, 
That our Leader is no stranger 

To its loneliness and strife. 
He has passed this way before us, 

To the Cross that makes us free ; 
Now, through heaven's opened portals, 

Comes the Saviour's ' ' Follow Me." 



46 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



% 2>atlB Desire, 

; Be thou in the teak op the Lord all the day long."— (Proverbs 
xxiii. 17.) 

In the sweet fear of Jesus ! 

May I begin the day ; 
Fearful lest I should grieve Him, 

Fearful lest I should stray ; 
Fearful lest earthly longings 

Ever my heart should share. 
Taking the throne of Jesus, 

Placing an idol there. 

In the sweet fear of Jesus, 

Tenderly, gently led, 
Never disquieting terror, 

Never tormenting dread ; 
Only the fear which, cherished, 

Yieldeth for weary days 
Harvest of restful confidence, 

Harvest of gladsome praise. 

In the sweet fear of Jesus, 

Then may I live this day ; 
Serving or resting, always 

Under its gentle sway. 
All that I say directed, 

All that I plan conceived, 
With the remembrance present, 

" Jesus must not be grieved." 

1 Suggested by a line of GeUert's " Evening Hymn." 



A DAILY DESIRE. 47 



In the sweet fear of Jesus 

Dwelling the whole day long, 
Promptly yielding obedience, 

Patiently suffering wrong ; 
Kept, till the evening closes, 

Still by this strange, sweet fear, 
Blent with the blessed knowledge, 

" Jesus is ever near." 



48 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



IReaOg ! 

Be ye also ready : for in such an hour as ye think not the Son 
of man cometh."— {Matt. xxiv. 44.) 

Ready ! Oh, are you ready 

If the Lord should come to-day? 
Are you sheltered under the sprinkled blood 

That takes all sin away ? 
Or are you still fearing, doubting, 

Lingering outside the door, 
Which, when once He comes, will be closed to you, 

If you enter not before ? 

Ready ! Oh, are you ready ? 

Christian, this speaks to you ; 
For the Lord's own child, though safe, may be 

Ashamed to meet Him too. 
Will He find you watching, praying, 

In the day when He comes again ? 
Or are you asleep while others weep 

For the sorrows and sins of men ? 

Ready ! Oh, are you ready ? 

For soon He may be here : 
Will He find you loyal and true to Him, 

Or cowardly and full of fear ? 
Will He find you enduring hardness, 

As a faithful soldier must, 
Content to tread where the Lord has led, 

In a life of simple trust? 



READY! 49 



Beady I Oh, are you ready 

When the Lord shall call away ? 
No idol chaining you down to earth, 

But ready to go to-day ? 
For it may be that He is coming 

Before the evening fall ; 
But whether at noon or midnight, 

Be ready when He shall call ! 



50 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



B Wail in a Sure fl>lace. 



I WILL FASTEN HlM AS A NAIL IN A SURE PLACE . . . AND THEY SHALL 
HANG UPON HIM . . . ALL VESSELS OF SMALL QUANTITY, FROM THE 
VESSELS OF CUPS, EVEN TO ALL THE VESSELS OF FLAGONS." — (Isaiah 

xxii. 23, 24.) 



A nail was fastened both firm and strong 
In a place that was safe and sure, 

And upon it was many a vessel hung, — 
Flagon, and cup, and ewer. 

Said a little cup, " How small am I, 
So shabby, and mean, and black : 

I fear I shall fall ; and then, though I try, 
I never shall get put back." 

"You need not fear," quoth a flagon great, 

" A little thing like you : 
But look at me, with my heavy weight ; 
Of me might such fears be true." 

Then another voice took up the cry, 
And sighed, " Oh, if I were like 

That golden cup that hangs so high, 
No terror my heart need strike ! " 



A NAIL IN A SURE PLACE. 51 

But the golden cup gave the answer bold, 

" I never with fear need quail ; 
But I keep up here not because I'm gold, 

But because I hang on the nail. 

"If the nail should fall, then we all must go, 

Whatever our strength may be ; 
But as long as it keeps its place, I know 

That secure and safe are we." 



52 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



% tKllorfeer's Dream of tbe ffioroei* XanD. 

'Tis over ! Life's pilgrimage story, 
The burden and heat of the day ; 

Before me lies nought but the glory, 
Behind, all the toil of the way. 

weariness, farewell forever ! 

Now ' ' the lame one shall leap as an hart ; " 
Disappointment and sorrow shall never 
Again fling their anguishing dart. 

For tears shall be wiped from all faces, 
And joy be the portion of each ; 

Of sickness and pain are no traces, 
For death is now far out of reach. 

Set free from the grasp of temptation, 
From the sin which dominion hath sought, 

1 conquer through much tribulation, 
For Jesus my triumph hath bought. 

The gates of the city are nearing, 
The glory has dazzled my sight, 

And voices are now within hearing 
Last heard in earth's shadowy night. 



A WORKER'S DREAM. 53 



My loved ones, my children, are waiting, 
Sweet fruit of my toil — " gone before," 

And they stand at the gates with a greeting, 
A welcome to last evermore. 

And yet there is melody higher 

Than their out-gushing language of love, 
A song of which saints never tire, 

To be sung in the mansions above. 

The rapture — oh, how shall I tell it ! 

Unspeakable, glorious, divine ! 
A rapture with nought to dispel it, 

A bliss through eternity mine ! 

I shall kiss the dear feet of the Master, 

Behold the fair face of the King ; 
O chariot wheels, speed me faster ! 

angels, be fleeter of wing ! 

Press on, till in deep adoration 

1 mingle my voice with the strain ; 

" Praise, honour, thanksgiving, salvation, 
Be unto the Lamb that was slain." 



54 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



©nvvarD ! 

Let patience have her perfect work.."— {James i. 4.) 

Oh, lose not courage, weary heart ! 

Forth to the work anew ! 
Through tears and toil the Master trod : 

So must His servants true. 
'Tis those who sow the seed, and weep, 
Who He has said shall doubtless reap. 

Oh, lose not patience, weary heart ! 

Tangled life's web may seem ; 
But thread by thread the Master's hand 

Unravels what we deem 
Inextricable : then we see 
How skilled a guide that Hand must be. 

And so in faith we day by day 

Take both the toil and pain, 
Knowing the work and warfare each 

Shall end in heavenly gain, 
And those who have through patience won, 
Shall hear the Master's word, "Well done ! " 



WILDERNESS REST. 55 



Who is this that cometh up from the wilderness, leaning upon 
her Beloved." — (Song of Solomon viii. 5.) 

Only just to rest upon His bosom, 

Only just to lean upon His arm ! 
Calm from all the fretting and impatience, 

Safe and confident from fear of harm. 

Tis no effort I can make will bring me 
To this place of sweet and blessed rest ; 

But He holds me, keeps me there forever, 
Folded closely down upon His breast ; 

Carries me o'er mountain, hill, and valley, 
Through the wilderness so long and drear : 

And, although the path be steep and rugged, 
Stayed upon Him what have I to fear ? 

What though round me all is scorched and thirsty ! 

He is the " shadow in a weary land ; " 
Why should I care for " windy storm and tempest," 

When in the " Hiding-place " secure I stand ? 

Then, O my heart, why bodest thou of sorrow? 

The " everlasting arms " are round thee clasped ; 
Jesus shall keep thee till that glad to-morrow, 

When thou shalt stand with Him " at home " at last. 



56 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



" 1be 3f ailetb «ot." 

(See Zephaniah iii. 5.) 

O pkecious truth for human need, 
For souls that faint, for hearts that bleed, 
God will to their assistance speed, 
"HEfailethnot! " 

Take courage, doubting one, and prove 
How true this promise of His love ; 
Through each day's trials look above, 
" He faileth not." 

Kinsfolk and friend far off may be, 
Sorrows untold may compass thee, 
No earthly refuge thou mayst see — 
"HEfailethnot." 

Wait thou for Him, nor vainly try 
On Egypt's horses swift ' to fly, 
His aid is sure — on Him rely, 
"He faileth not." 

Did He not send the Saviour down 
To make this blessed secret known, 
To show the sick, the sad, the lone, 
"HEfailethnot?" 

i Isa. xxx. 15-18 ; xxxi. 1-3. 



"HE FAILETH NOT." 57 



Gaze on that wondrous Life and see 
God's Heart of Love revealed to thee 
From Bethlehem to Calvary — 
" He faileth not." 

Gaze on the Cross, see Christ fulfil 
Through shame and death the Father's will 
Thy soul to save— sweet pledge that still 
"He faileth not." 

Then bring to God thy sin and woe, 
Pardon and strength He will bestow, 
By blest experience thou shalt know 
" He faileth not." 



58 LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Zbc Ibeart's fmnger. 

QUESTION I. 

Oh, longing desires, will ye ever be wholly stilled ? 

Will the restless beat of this heart be ever at peace ? 
Will the soul, now so hungry, ever be fully filled, 

And the yearning for joys denied to me ever cease ? 

If only the hand could reach that which looks so fair ! 

If only the lips could touch that which seems so sweet ! 
But the light I follow but lures me to dark despair, 

Eluding my grasp be never my steps so fleet ! 

THE ANSWER. 

The longings of earth, oh, they never would fill the soul, 
Though granted and meted with measure o'erflowing and 
free ! 

Let one who has tasted unfettered by aught of control 
Now speak, and his answer suffice forever to thee. 

" I said in my heart I will prove thee with joy and mirth, 1 
With pleasure and laughter, with music, and song, and 
wine; 

Whatever my eyes desire of the joys of earth, 3 
Whatever my fancy craves it shall now be mine. 

11 Then laughter and love in luxury's lap combined 
To lull my longings in ravishing dreamy bliss ; 

I slumbered, it seemed but a moment, then waked to find 
My vision had vanished, and years had been lost for this. 3 
1 Eccles. ii. 1. a Eccles. ii. 10. 3 Eccles. vii. 6 ; Prov. xiv. 13. 



THE HEART'S HUNGER. 59 



" 'Vexation of spirit, and labour and toil in vain,' 
Was written on all my joy ; and I hated life : l 

No rest for my heart had I ; but a weary pain, 2 

And a seeking that seemed to be but an endless strife. 

• ' Then I turned away, and I roused myself to seek 
A portion to fill my soul, in ambition's aim : 

I would be great, and all men of me should speak ; 3 
I would be mighty, and make myself a name. 

"Then treasure of gold I gathered from far and near, 4 
Then palaces builded, and gardens and vineyards grew, 

Till mighty in power and wealth I had no compeer, 
Till all the world of Solomon's riches knew. 5 

" And with higher and nobler objects I sought to fill 
The void in my soul still left— the unquenched thirst ; 

In wisdom, in honour, in knowledge I gloried, 6 till 
A breath of keen censure blew, and the bubble burst. 

" ■ Vexation of spirit, and labour and toil in vain,* 
Was written on all my work ; and I hated life : 

No rest for my heart had I— but a weary pain, 

And a seeking that seemed to be but an empty strife. 7 

"Yes, the rivers had run all into the sea of my heart, 8 
And yet the ocean was never the nearer filled ; 

The eye had seen and the ear had heard their part, 9 
But the restless, surging beat had never been stilled." 

i Eccles. ii. 11. 17. » ii. 23. « ii. 4. « ii. 4-8. Mi. 9 ; i. 16. 

« i. 13 ; ii. 21. ii. IT, 18, 20. 8 i. 7. » i. 9 ; v. 10, 11. 



60 LAYS, OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



QUESTION II. 

O God, is it true, as preachers are wont to say, 1 
O God, is it true, the wondrous, marvellous thought, 

That with Thyself may be satisfied e'en to-day 2 
The hunger of soul which to fill I in vain have sought ? 

Say, is there a life on earth of which Thou art the theme, 
A life of which Thou Thyself art beginning and end, 4 

A life of joy — yet which is no baseless dream, 5 
A life of love on which can no blight descend ? 



THE ANSWER. 

Hark ! the sound of many voices, 

All are echoing one sweet strain ; 
One shall speak above his fellows, 

One who spoke shall speak again, song of Sol. i. 1. 

Telling out the joy of thousands 

In that life of truest gain. 

" I have found for world-worn spirits 

One sweet spot of sheltering shade, M jSf ^ 2 °8.' U ' 
Like an Elim in the desert, 

Spot where none dare make afraid ; 
'Tis the human heart of Jesus, . 

Song ot ool. l. 7. 

Resting-place for sinners made. John xx. 19, 20. 

1 Eccles, xii. 10, 11. 2 Psalm cvii. 5, 9. 

3 Psalm xxxvi. 8, 9. 4 Psalm xxvii. 1 ; Phil. i. 21. 

6 1 Peter i. 6, 8. 



THE HEART'S HUNGER. 61 



u 'Tis the human heart of Jesus 

In the light of Godhead seen, Jonn'xx. 27, 28.' 
Heart that suffered, heart that sorrowed, Song of So j # vi - i# 5< 

Now the place where I may lean : J° hn xiii :. 23 - 

* J Prov. xvni. 10. 

Safer shelter, surer refuge, Prov. xiv. 26. 

, ' . . , Song of Sol. ii. 14. 

bweeter home, has never been ! Psalm xci. 9, 10. 



God in Christ has come to meet me ; £ r0V J ^ x - 4 - „ 

__ . _ ' Exodus xxv. 22. 

He has stooped from His high throne, 
He has taken human nature, &-, v -- x ^ i ' e 1T ' 

rail. n. o-o. 

He has made my cause His own ; 
He has pitied, He has loved me, E^'mw^V. 2. 

He has died for sin t' atone. prov. viii. 35; xiv. 25. 

Acts xx. 28. 



" Ah ! my eyes can see new beauty 

As the God-Man stands revealed, RevTi. 13-17. V ' 

And His heart that once was riven gong of |oUv. 9. 

Melts my heart that once was sealed, Prov._xxffi.26. 

Acts ix. 4—6. 

And my wounds of sin and sorrow 

By His wounded side are healed. i? a - *• ?/. ,„ 

J Prov. ni. 18. 



" He is chief among ten thousand, lev^rf ]/' 10 ' 

None His Kingship can contend ; 

He is peerless, He is matchless, 

His perfections have no end ! PffiLffi 9. 

He is altogether lovely, 

u -r, . ■*, n J L . , . Song of Sol. v. 16. 

My Beloved and my Friend ! i Peter ii. 7. 



LAYS OF LOWLY SERVICE. 



Yet the world refused to own Him, 

Of His beauty nothing guessed ; ^fl; 1 John L& 

Heeded not His tender pity, 

Spurned Him when He would have blessed ; 
Crucified the Lord of glory 

When He came to give it rest ! 



So the world no longer charms me 

With its baubles and its toys ; ira'erlv. sf" 21 " 

I can leave them all forgotten 

As I drink of deeper joys : 
Jesus crucified and risen 

All their witching spell destroys. Gal. vi. 14. 



"I have found a new ambition, 

One to live for, One to please : 
Motive-power all toil ennobling, 

Love that from self-seeking frees ; 
Service which is never irksome, 

Labour which is truest ease. ao£. v^ifc 5 ' 16 ' 



" So I walk a pilgrim-stranger 

Through the world that loved Him not : 
If it hate me, like my Master, 

Need I murmur at my lot, 
While I know my humblest service Prov xv 16 

Ne'er will be by Him forgot ? 1 Peter iv 12-14. 



THE HEART'S HUNGER. 



And He loves me, this sweet Saviour, 

With a changeless love and true ; John xiii.°; Rev. i.' 5. 



Prov. xxx. 5. 
Heb. xiii. 5. 



Saves me, keeps me, guards me, guides me, 

All the desert journey through ; 
And the fellowship of heaven 

Gilds my way with beauty new. fjohni' 3 8 



'•' Thus with gladsomeness of childhood 

Is my daily pathway trod, g™; jg; £; 

And with childhood's unsuspicion 
Now no evil I forebode, ^Tka.^'. 25 ' 

But like rest on mother's bosom 

Is my inward peace with God." Prov. m. 24-26. 

J Phil. iv. 7. 



LOVING SERVICE SERIES. 



t, Cup of %o\>ina Service, 

By Eliza Dean Taylor, ioc— $1.00 per dozen. 

2. XPLgo Bassi's Sermon in tbe E>ospftai. 

ioc. — $1.00 per dozen. 

3. Just for XIo^Bay ant) otber Derses* 

Gathered from various sources, ioc. — $1.00 per dozen. 

4. JSlessefc be Brufcgers* 

By Wm. C. Gannett, ioc. — $i.oo per dozen. 

5. first : H Ualfe witb Bops, 

By Henry Drummond, F.R.S.E. ioc. — fi.oo per dozen. 

6. 5- Cole. 

By Emma Gellibrand. ioc. — $i.oo per dozen. 

7. Xaps of Xowlp Service anb otber Derses. 

By Georgina M. Taylor, ioc. — $i.oo per dozen. In press. 



JAMES POTT & CO., Publishers, 

i 4 & 16 ASTOR PLACE, * * NEW YORK. 



